Dad’s plea for concussed son to give boxing ‘a rest’ before brain bleed death

As Vic Diamond drove away from Frankston Hospital in November 2018, he asked his concussed son if he shouldn’t give boxing a rest for a little while.

In the Victorian Coroners Court on Tuesday, he broke down as he recalled how just three months later his son, George Diamond, was dead after collapsing from a brain bleed following a sparring session.

George Diamond died in February 2019 aged 18.

George, 18, had been boxing at Sting Gym in Cranbourne West on October 25, 2018, when he received his first significant knock.

Doubled over after taking a hit to the groin, he was struck in the head. He went to Pearcedale Medical Centre with head trauma, vomiting and mild swelling to the temple.

Symptoms from the blow persisted, and he went back to see his GP, Dr Pejman Hajbabaie, five days later to report he was still unwell.

On November 5, 10 days after the knock, Vic Diamond took his son to Frankston Hospital, telling Dr Yigal Reuben his son was still experiencing vomiting, headaches and dizziness.

George Diamond’s family (back row from left): sister Eva and brothers Christian and Isiah. Front row: brother Perry, grandfather George, mother Shayla and father Vic.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Diamond told the court he twice asked Reuben to give his son a brain scan.

“He told me I was overprotective, and it was unnecessary,” the father said. “He made me feel really silly that I was asking.”

Hospital notes say Reuben warned George against playing sport while in this condition, and the father and son left. During the car ride home, Diamond had raised giving boxing a rest.

“I said to him, ‘Georgie, maybe you should give boxing a miss for a little while,’” Diamond told the inquest into his son’s death.

George Diamond had emergency surgery to release pressure on his brain. His life support was turned off soon after.

“He said to me, ‘Dad, the gym owners had said I’m all good, they let me drive home. Two GPs have said I’m all good, a doctor at the hospital has said to me I don’t even have to do a scan. We have to put trust in what they’re saying, because they’re professionals.’”

After the incident, the gym suspended George on medical grounds, but his father said he had continued to attend fitness classes.

In late January, George asked Hajbabaie for medical clearance to return to boxing, a requirement for participation in an amateur bout on February 2, which he was granted.

But after sparring on February 18, George collapsed at the gym and was taken to hospital. Emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain was unsuccessful and he died on February 21.

State Coroner John Cain is trying to unravel the events that led to George Diamond’s death, how the two boxing incidents might be connected, and whether doctors’ treatment played any role.

Vic Diamond said his son was part of an “incredibly close” family, a devoted friend and an enthusiastic athlete.

“Over the last five years I’ve cried so much,” he said.

After George died, family members accessed his phone and sent material to the court they claim shows he had been attending the gym while on suspension.

Former Sting Gym co-owner John Paule said the gym dropped George’s suspension on January 11 after a phone call with him. That was two weeks before a doctor gave Diamond the all-clear to return to sparring.

Roisin Annesley, KC, for the gym, asked Vic Diamond at the end of his evidence if he agreed that the Sting Gym staff cared about his son.

“If someone cares for someone, they don’t put their life at risk,” he replied. “If you care about him, you don’t put him back in the ring.

“If I loved and cared for someone, I would not put their life at risk. Come on.”

The inquest continues.

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